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Brunello di Montalcino New Releases: 2014 & 2013 Riserva

What a difference a year makes! Here we have two releases - the 2014 Brunello and 2013 Brunello Riservas - that are completely different. 2013 was the quintessential Brunello vintage and the elite producers have made beautifully balanced, high-toned, and cellar-worthy Riservas. The wines are classically shaped, certainly more so than the 'blockbuster' 2012 Riservas, so it will be a vintage that really appeals to Brunello purists. Why not follow James Suckling's advice, tuck away a case or two in your cellar, and return when they have mellowed into Brunellos of sophistication, complexity, and effortless power.

‘I suggest buying 2013 riservas if you are looking for a new vintage to lay down in your cellar. They will be classic wines…’ James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com

‘After an extensive tasting of 2014 Brunello, I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer elegance, vibrancy and balance of the top bottlings. While they don’t have the structure and ageing potential typical of Brunello, their fragrances are enticing.’ The Wine Enthusiast, www.winemag.com

‘The Fuligni 2014 Brunello di Montalcino is a beautiful wine. To my mind, it represents one of the best interpretations you will find from this difficult vintage...’Monica Larner, www.robertparker.com

If nature gave an easy time of it to producers in 2013, 2014 provided much more of a challenge. It's years like this when estates are really pushed to the limit, when brutal selection, expert wine-making, and great terroir shine through. That's why Fuligni and Collemattoni have produced vintage-defying wines in 2014. These are lithe, fresh and pretty Brunellos with real vim and finesse. They will be ready to drink almost immediately and we'll wager they won't linger long in your winerack. It's the perfect vintage to stock up on while you wait patiently for the 2013 Riservas to hit their stride.

Vintage Report

Pricing & Delivery

This is a pre-shipment offer and an opportunity to secure these wines at the lowest possible price before they reach the general market. The wines will arrive in the UK during the summer of 2019 and will be shipped once available. Pricing is all 'in bond' by the case size stated but you can opt to pay the duty & VAT now. Please indicate if you would like wines duty paid in your order form notes along with your delivery instruction.

Storage

This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.

Collemattoni

This tiny, seven hectare, estate in San Angelo in Colle, on the warmer clay of the southern side of the hill of Montalcino is run by Marcello Bucci. A fantastic winemaker who studied oenology under Roberto Fuligni's aunt. He is making wonderfully good wines which keep increasing in both quality and international recognition.

In 2013 he has released a beautifully balanced, sleek and refined Brunello Riserva. It's a smooth, fruit-forward style - as is often the case on this warmer site - but the vintage provides ample freshness and you can already sense the delicious savoury undertones that will emerge with time in the cellar. This has a long and very bright future ahead of it.

2014 posed all sorts of problems in the vineyards of Montalcino but this site escaped the worst of it. Marcello was ruthless in selection and hasn't tried to push too hard in the winery, producing a brightly fruited Brunello of great aromatic purity and outstanding drinkability. This will be a great value Brunello that will be ready almost immediately on release. A triumph in a tricky year.

Fuligni

Founded in 1923 by Giovanni Fuligni, the estate today is co-owned by Robert Guerrini Fuligni and his delightful aunt Maria Flora Fuligni. The estate covers 100 hectares, of which 25 are under vine, almost all planted with Sangiovese.

Great wine makers keep delivering the goods whatever the vintage conditions. All the Tuscan wine producers were dealt a tricky card in 2014 and yet Roberto has produced a delicious, elegant Brunello which has surprised many - including the critics. This is a real triumph and can be enjoyed almost immediately.

2013, on the other hand, was a classic vintage for Brunello and Roberto has made a trade mark Fuligni Riserva. Concentrated, refined and age worthy - there is nothing excessive about the wine. Real Brunello lovers will be in for a treat with this vintage.

Initially closed and shy, the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva needs a little extra time in the glass before it starts to shine. The wine is made according to a very classic blueprint that prizesInitially closed and shy, the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva needs a little extra time in the glass before it starts to shine. The wine is made according to a very classic blueprint that prizes delicate primary fruit freshness, fully integrated tannins (nudged forward by Slavonian oak casks) and bright acidity. Fruit for this wine is sourced from 20-year-old vines that deliver the added extract and concentration worthy of a Riserva expression. This wine is impeccably balanced and radiant. It drinks beautifully straight out of the gate, however, it has the natural DNA to assure a graceful aging future. Some 12,000 bottles were made. Drinking range: 2020 - 2040 Rating: 95+ Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com)(Jan 2019)

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